Ocean Force

OCEAN FORCE – developed in 2012 – is a marine conservation campaign that highlights conservation of the ocean and the need for the protection of mammals in danger of extinction. Blue ‘OCEAN FORCE’ beaded bracelets are sold in aquariums and retail outlets worldwide. The ‘SAVE THE OCEAN …buy a bracelet’ campaign is currently funding the efforts of marine conservation through Project Aware – PADI.

Project AWARE supports a global movement of divers acting in their own communities to protect oceans and implement lasting change. They focus on two major ocean issues -Sharks in Peril and Marine Debris, or rubbish in our ocean, as scuba divers are uniquely positioned to directly and positively affect real, long-term change.

Sharks: We are emptying the ocean of sharks. Between 26-63 million killed every year for their fins. Nearly one out of five shark species is classified by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Threatened with extinction. Overfishing is driving sharks to the brink – with many populations down by 80 percent.

Marine Debris: From small bits of plastic, car batteries and appliances, to enormous fishing nets, litter makes its way to the ocean by the ton every day. As people consume more disposable goods, the items we discard, even thousands of miles inland, are choking our ocean planet. Pervasive debris kills wildlife, destroys habitats, and threatens our health and economy.